This easy to make Paleo Zesty Ranch Trail Mix is perfect for all sorts of healthy snacking! I like to meal prep it to have on hand for grab and go snacks throughout the work week. But it’s also great for hiking or road trips as well. It’s naturally gluten free, dairy free and nutrient dense. It’s also healthier than the usual ranch mix since you make a simple seasoning mix of your own.
When I did a poll over on Insta Stories to see whether I should make a honey mustard or a ranch trail mix, honey mustard ended up winning. But it won by just the narrowest of margins. So I felt like I really needed to make a ranch version as well.
Ranch flavors turned out to be challenging to make paleo, because without the buttermilk powder, it didn’t taste as ‘ranchy’. Not a very technical term, but I guess I was surprised by how critical buttermilk powder seemed to be. But in the end I was able to amp up the rest of the flavors to make a paleo ranch I was still excited about/ proud of.
Having made lots of batches of both flavors, you would think I’d have a favorite by now. But I really don’t, they’re both good, and I like to make both flavors so I can go back and forth.
It ended up being great that I needed to make 2 flavors because I love variety, and everyone gets the flavor they voted for. And speaking of recipe voting, please always feel free to make requests, and let me know what you’d like to see here on the blog.
Now let’s make this Paleo Zesty Ranch Trail Mix step by step!
First up you mix together all the spices called for. The first few batches I did, I added dried chives since they’re pretty standard in ranch mixes. But since I figured dried chives might not be a staple spice, I tried it without them.
And here’s the thing… I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. So I left them as an option in the recipe just in case you want to be extra authentic.
Then to make sure the spices stick to the trail mix, I added just a touch of avocado oil and maple syrup. A little bit of sweetness really makes all the flavors stand out as well.
Finally you mix it all together until everything is evenly coated.
The baking time is long because it’s important to cook this trail mix low and slow.
By cooking it slowly, everything turns out perfectly crispy, and the ranch flavor is way more intense at a low temperature.
And finally after the baking time is done, I always leave my snack mix in the oven with the heat turned off for a final crisping. Once the trail mix is completely cooled, I like to store mine in mason jars on the counter. So far it’s never lasted past 3 weeks, but I’m sure you could keep it longer in a sealed container in the freezer.
More Healthy Snack Recipe Inspiration
- No Bake Energy Bites (10 Flavors!)
- Molasses Ginger Cookie Energy Bites
- Paleo Honey Mustard Snack Mix
- Meal Prep Chia Pudding
- Coconut Chips
I’ve been packing it into mini mason jars each week as part of my meal prepping. That way I have individual portions all ready to grab-and-go. And we’ve taken this trail mix on countless hikes now and it’s always a treat.
I really hope you enjoy this healthy trail mix! And if you do get a chance to make this, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. I always love hearing from you here! Also for more pizza inspired recipes, head over to the recipe index.
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Paleo Zesty Ranch Trail Mix
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This easy to make Paleo Zesty Ranch Trail Mix is perfect for all sorts of healthy snacking! I like to meal prep it to have on hand for grab and go snacks throughout the work week. But it’s also great for hiking or road trips as well. It’s naturally gluten free, dairy free and nutrient dense. It’s also healthier than the usual ranch mix since you make a simple seasoning mix of your own.
Ingredients
1 cup whole raw cashews, 4.5 ounces
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 2.5 ounces
1 cup raw pecan halves, 4 ounces
1 cup salted plantain chips, 2 ounces
Spices:
1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon granulated dried onion
2 Teaspoons dried garlic powder
1 Tablespoon dried dill
1 Teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 Teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1/2 Teaspoon ground black pepper
1 Teaspoon dried chives, optional
1 Tablespoon avocado oil
2 Tablespoons maple syrup, I used Grade A amber
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 250ºF, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the cashews, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and plantain chips on the baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix together all the spices.
Pour the spices over the nut/seed mixture along with the avocado oil and maple syrup.
Toss to completely combine and evenly distribute the spices.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring three times throughout the cooking process. When the cooking time is finished, turn the oven off, open the door and stir the trail mix one more time. Close the oven door, and let the trail mix cool with the oven for 30 minutes. This helps it to remain ultra crispy.
Then cool the trail mix to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
Notes
The dried chives are optional, if they’re not in your spice pantry, don’t worry about it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Paleo Ranch Trail Mix, Gluten Free Ranch Trail Mix, Paleo Snack Mix Recipe
Is there a link to your honey mustard trail mix recipe? They both sound great!
★★★★★
I don’t have the recipe for it yet because I had so many recipe failures, I had to give it a rest for a while before I could see myself eating more honey mustard trail mix! However the good news is I’m working on it again, and hopefully it will be out this September.
Such a great idea! Love these Paleo friendly ideas.
Thank you!
Ranch on the plantain chips sounds amazing. I love crunchy snacks 🙂
★★★★★
Me too!
Could these be done in a dehydrator? Looks delicious!!
★★★★★
You might be able to use the dehydrator if all the nuts are already toasted, otherwise you won’t have the same nice and roasty flavor. I hope you’ll let me know if you try it out!
This is utterly delicious genius! YUM!
Thanks so much!
OMG I love the addition of plantain chips to this – so delicious and that ranch seasoning sounds insane!
★★★★★
Me too, I’m seriously crazy about plantain chips!
OMG ! Everything looks so crispy, crunchy, and delicious ! Love your recipes !
★★★★★
It’s ultra crispy after the extra cool down in the oven!
This is such a fun mix of nuts and I love the plaintains – my kids would love that! I think I will make them spicy for me and part of a batch with just sea salt and half the spices for the girls! Thanks!
★★★★★
That’s a good idea, this is pretty flavor packed!
Hiking snack bliss!! What great idea!! The ones pre made always have junk I don;t want, so this is the way to go!
★★★★★
Exactly, and the healthy ones are so pricey, I decided to make my own!
This looks like a delicious combo. I am always on the lookout for new trail mix recipes so will have to give this one a go.
★★★★★
I sure hope you enjoy it, we’ve been loving it on our adventures!
Holy cow this looks awesome! Such a fun idea and flavor and I LOVE that you added the plantain chips in it. Yum!
★★★★★
Thank you, and in my opinion the plantain chips are the best part!
OMG, I’ll take ranch anything! Sounds amazing.
★★★★★
Me too!
This looks bomb!! I LOVE that you put plantain chips in it. YUM!!!
Thank you, the plantain chips are always my favorite part of this mix!